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Veglahn tosses epic inning

La Crescent's ace Eric Veglahn sets state record for strikeouts in an inning

Leading Hayfield 4-1 on April 14, La Crescent ace Eric Veglahn headed to the mound in the bottom of the seventh searching for his first complete game win of the season.

He left the field having accomplished something no major league player has done and affirmed his place in state baseball lore by striking out the side.

All five batters.

After fanning eight through six innings, Veglahn continued his dominance in the seventh. He struck out the first two batters looking.

The third batter went down swinging, but the catcher couldn't field the breaking pitch, allowing the runner to reach first.

"That should have been the third out," La Crescent coach Rick Boyer said. "Then the next one got away and I thought, 'Oh my goodness.' "

Veglahn struck out the fourth batter, but another passed ball allowed him to reach base. With runners at first and second, the tying run came to the plate.

Veglahn struck him out, too.

"I have never seen five strikeouts in an inning at any level, anywhere," Boyer said.

The five strikeouts set a new state record for an inning. Only 11 others have recorded four in one inning, according to the Minnesota State High School Baseball Coaches Association's records.

Veglahn, a senior, is undecided on his college choice, but plans to play baseball at the next level, Boyer said. The lefty has quietly piled up 101 strikeouts this season to lead all pitchers in the state.

With the regular season wrapping up, Boyer hopes to capitalize on Veglahn's dominance.

"Been to state the last three years, and we definitely want to go again," Boyer said.